Report by the United Against a Nuclear Iran Organization; The Invisible Hand of the Baqiyatallah Headquarters in 'Engineering Votes and Thoughts' in Iran

A new report from the American NGO 'United Against a Nuclear Iran' reveals the covert activities of the cultural headquarters 'Baqiyatallah' of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in engineering elections and cultural control. The report 'Engineering Thoughts and Votes,' prepared by Kasra Arababi and Saeed Golkar for 'United Against a Nuclear Iran,' includes details on how this secret entity operates to control election outcomes. The organization states that the Baqiyatallah headquarters, under the command of Mohammad Ali Jafari, the former commander of the IRGC established to support Ali Khamenei's views on governance and Islamic society, employs a comprehensive strategy that includes propaganda, candidate vetting, election engineering, and voter intimidation. This report indicates that the Baqiyatallah cultural headquarters is a new entity that plays a central role in collaboration with other governmental institutions, including the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance, in implementing projects aimed at the Islamization of society in line with Khamenei's ideological views. A section of this approximately 30-page report shows that the Baqiyatallah headquarters oversees a network of cultural and media organizations such as the artistic and media organization 'Owj' and the cyber organization 'Sajjad,' which disseminate the ideology of the Islamic Republic. According to the United Against a Nuclear Iran organization, the Baqiyatallah headquarters is part of the 'cultural and repression machine' of the IRGC against opponents. These entities produce a wide range of content, including films and television series, and are also involved in spreading misinformation online, including on social media, with the aim of eradicating secular and Western influences in Iranian society. Their agents are engaged in producing false information, mocking opponents, and making provocative, unfounded statements, a practice referred to as 'trolling.' This 'cultural engineering' is part of a broader effort to create a homogeneous Islamic society aligned with Khamenei's ideological views. The report states that in addition to cultural manipulation, the Baqiyatallah headquarters is involved in complex election engineering activities. This headquarters uses a 'middle rings' strategy to mobilize regime-supporting groups to influence election outcomes on voting day through activities such as vote buying, voter intimidation, and tampering with ballots. This highly controlled process ensures the selection of candidates loyal to the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic, thus maintaining the regime's grip on power. The United Against a Nuclear Iran organization claims that while most attention has been directed towards the Guardian Council, the Baqiyatallah headquarters acts as the 'invisible arm' of election manipulation. The organization calls for immediate international sanctions against the Baqiyatallah headquarters, its leadership, and affiliates, arguing that such actions are necessary to combat human rights violations and weaken the IRGC's control over Iranian society and politics. The report mentions individuals such as Mohammad Ali Jafari, commander of the Baqiyatallah headquarters, Sasan Zare, deputy commander of the headquarters, Ahmad Aboudatian, Hossein Yahyaian, and Amir Reza Gholami. The United Against a Nuclear Iran organization states that despite its significant role in political and cultural manipulation, the Baqiyatallah headquarters has so far escaped international scrutiny and sanctions. Government efforts to bring people to the polls; some users: there is no news of a 'circus election' in society. Israel calls for international cooperation to counter cyberattacks from the Islamic Republic. The U.S. has sanctioned the IRGC's money laundering network and the Islamic Republic's Ministry of Defense. Reuters analytical report; government elections dominated by 'loyalists' to Khamenei.